400,000 in Ohio city told not to drink tap water polluted with toxins from algae

Jascha Chiaverini secures a 500-gallon tank of water from a Napolean, Ohio grain elevator onto a trailer to donate to one of the city's distribution centers, where Toledoans can fill their water jugs at no charge in Toledo, Ohio on Aug 2, 2014. Residents of Toledo, Ohio will learn on Sunday, Aug 3, when they can drink tap water again after officials warned that the water supply was polluted with toxins likely released by algae blooms. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Residents of Toledo, Ohio will learn on Sunday when they can drink tap water again after officials warned that the water supply was polluted with toxins likely released by algae blooms.

At least 400,000 people in the midwestern city and its suburbs were also warned not to boil the water because that would increase the concentration of the microcystin toxin.

Chemists testing water at the city's treatment plant "had two sample readings for microcystin in excess of the recommended 'DO NOT DRINK' 1 microgram per liter standard," the City of Toledo said in a statement on Saturday.

"This notice applies to ALL customers of Toledo water," it said, adding that water "should not be consumed until an all clear is issued."